Matt Thurber
Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Matt Thurber

Latest from Matt Thurber

Accidents

Engine Failure Leads to Improved Inspection Process

Cracks occurred in an area that can't be seen without removing the spinner
NTSB report Rolls-Royce Tay engine damage from spinner separation
Avionics

Metroliner Approved for Genesys Digital Autopilot

Upgrade adds envelope protection and modern digital autopilot features
S-TEC 3100 digital autopilot certified in Metroliner aircraft
Maintenance and Modifications

Enstrom Holding Helicopter Mx Classes Next Month

Courses includes hands-on training with special tools
Enstrom Helicopter maintenance training class
Avionics

Honeywell Demos Details of Anthem Avionics Suite

An opportunity to fly the new avionics revealed some interesting developments
Honeywell's Anthem avionics-equipped Pilatus PC-12 airplane
Safety

European Air Ambulance Adds Second Challenger 605

Operation now flies five jets to rescue individuals and in partnership with other organizations
European Air Ambulance Bombardier Challenger 605
Maintenance and Modifications

Honda Aircraft Updates HondaJet Maintenance Program

More efficient maintenance scheme will increase aircraft availability
HondaJet maintenance
Accidents

Pilots Report Comms Failure in Citation X+ Crash

Both pilots survived after the jet was destroyed in a post-crash fire
Cessna Citation X+ business jet crash in Jamestown, New York
Rotorcraft

Light Jet Broker Aerocor Adds Helo Sales Division

Company is providing free information for potential light helicopter buyers
Devon Lyons, head of Aerocor's new helicopter sales division
Cabin Interior and Electronics

SmartSky Shuts Down Connectivity Network

Move leaves owners of SmartSky systems with orphaned hardware and no more service
Citation Excel
Maintenance and Modifications

Vance Street Capital Buys Aircraft Brake Maker APS

Acquisition moves VS Aviation into the PC-12 PMA brake market
Aviation Products Systems PMA brakes
Rotorcraft

Saudi National Guard Signs for MD 530F Helo Support

In-country factory maintenance support will help improve efficiency and availability
Saudi Air National Guard MD 530F helicopter
Rotorcraft

Australian Fire Service Selects GPMS Foresight HUMS

Fleet of Black Hawk helicopters is being equipped with health and usage monitoring systems
New South Wales Rural Fire Service Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter
Avionics

FAA Certifies Garmin Runway Occupancy Awareness System

Following first certification in the Cessna Caravan, other Garmin-equipped aircraft to be approved
Garmin Runway Occupancy Awareness
Rotorcraft

LCI Places Two H145D3 Helos in Papua New Guinea 

Pacific Helicopters will operate the helicopters on behalf of Santos' Oil Search (PNG) subsidiary
Airbus H145D3 helicopters leased by LCI
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Launch of Viasat Satellites To Expand Arctic Coverage

The Ka-band payloads are expected to enter service in mid-2025
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launching two Viasat satellites
Rotorcraft

Rotortrade Earns Approval for EC120, H125 Helo Mx

Company is adding more helicopter types to its Part 145 certificate
Rotortrade's European helicopter maintenance center
Cabin Interior and Electronics

True Blue Power Converter Approved for Gulfstreams

Unit weighs 30% less and offers 15% more power compared with those it replaces
True Blue Power TFC4000 frequency converters installed in Gulfstream jet
Training and Workforce

PNBAA Launches Summer Bizav Internship Program

Hillsboro Aviation has agreed to host the first summer intern
Hillsboro Aviation
Avionics

New KPWK RNP Approach Serves Windy City Arrivals

Approach offers a safer way to fly to Chicago Executive Airport when winds favor Runway 34
Final approach to Chicago Executive Airport's Runway 34
Maintenance and Modifications

Jets MRO Moving into New Dallas Digs

Dallas Executive Airport is a growing alternative to other Dallas airports
Jets MRO new facility at Dallas Executive Airport
Training and Workforce

TRU Simulation Adds Second Longitude Sim in Columbus

Adding the second simulator doubles Longitude pilot training capacity
TRU Simulation Longitude business jet flight simulator
Rotorcraft

Miami-Dade Police Orders Four Airbus H125 Helicopters

More than 7,200 members of the Ecureuil family have been delivered
Airbus Helicopters H125
Cabin Interior and Electronics

Global 7500 Gets Starlink Satcom Installed at ACI Jet

Minimal structural and interior modifications were required
ACI Jet technicians Carl Ford and Eric Norrbom installing Starlink satellite communications system
Charter & Fractional

Vista America Shedding Cessna Citation Ultras and Xs

Pilots being offered available roles in other VistaJet aircraft models
Article image
Avionics

Duncan Aviation Completes First CJ2 Garmin Upgrade

Replacing the original avionics reduced empty weight of the jet by 160 pounds
Duncan Aviation Citation CJ2 Garmin avionics upgrade
Rotorcraft

Bell Logs Multiple Sales during APSCON Conference

Helicopter manufacturer also delivered two 407 GXis during the event
Peoria Police and Fire Department takes delivery of Bell 505 helicopter
Rotorcraft

FAA Issues STC for Helitak Fire Tank on Sikorsky S-92A 

The 5,000-liter tank is easily removable and didn't require any structural changes to the airframe
Sikorsky S-92A helicopter with Helitak fire tank
Rotorcraft

Learning To Fly with Night-vision Goggles

Training is essential when learning to fly with NVG at night
Aviation Specialties Unlimited and Matt Thurber nigh flying
Avionics

AML-STC Approved for Sentry Cockpit Voice Recorder

The approvals cover a variety of Part 25 airliners and business aircraft.
Flight Data Systems cockpit voice recorder with recorder independent power supply
Avionics

Bose Demos Aviation Headsets and Offers Onsite Repairs

Buyers of new headsets through August 17 get a free SoundLink Bluetooth speaker
Bose pilot ambassador Stevie Triesenberg